Please help planning ferry/driving holiday to France

ellas9602

Hello there
We're planning a summer trip to France. We are a family of six and usually do a package holiday so I just don't know where to start really. I've found crossings to Calais for £90, which is fine but I don't know France very well and have never really visited other than Paris.
Our teengae girls HAVE to have beaches and sunshine so how far south would I need to go?
Our initial Plan is 2 weeks in August but we could go for longer too.
I quite like the idea of a two stop holiday but I just have no idea of the area.
I guess my questions are...what do you do?
Where is nice?
My Oh will be driving so my rough idea so far is to travel a few hours to destination one, spend a few days there. then head further south for the remainder and then maybe a b&b stop for the return leg.
Any suggested itineries, resort accomodation recommendations etc much appreciated.
private rent, camping, hotel b&b..all considered. we're not fussy..the cheaper the better :money:

richardw

ellas9602 wrote: »

Our teengae girls HAVE to have beaches and sunshine so how far south would I need to go?

Some say Bordeaux and south of.

oldandhappy

For your travel time Arcachon or South of .. would be about right...find the right accomadation and facilities and you can have a great holiday. Dianne

spiro

Avoid driving south through France on the 1st weekend in August or north on the last weekend in August. Thats the weekend most French drive on holiday and friends have said the roads are manic with major queues.

knightstyle

Here is the list of expected road holdups for 2011. Avoid black and red days. http://www.bison-fute.equipement.gouv.fr/en/IMG/pdf/TRAFFIC_FORCASTS_-doc_2011_cle1d7548.pdf
The cheaper crossings mean a long drive to the coast but there are lots of campsites with lake beaches closer.
The west coast, Vendee, has lovely beaches, good campsites and good weather in August but look at the ferries from Portsmouth to get there, dearer but IMO worth it as no motorway tolls, less fuel and probably avoid an overnight stop on the way.
With two teenage girls you will probably want a larger site with lots of facilities and activities but we loved the smaller sites, often municipal, with just a basic washing block but within walking distance of local pool, and other facilities.
If you decide to use Brittany Ferries PM me for my members code to get 10% off, any other MSE members can do the same.

sunshinetours

I would agree Vendee region or Charente Maritime area as a minimum for plenty of sunshine (Charente has almost as much as the South of France) . The only issue with that coast is its the Atlantic so windy and rougher type seas than the med for example. We had warm (high 20's low 30's last summer out there and was very pleasant)

Very easy driving on Autoroute's from Calais area or go to St Malo for a shorter drive for instance. to save money consider using the Routes Nationales which are generally in reasonable conditon but do often go through town snad cities which you can avoid with the Autoroutes

The via Michelin site is worth a look for estimated fuel and toll costs

Diesel cheaper in France (off the autoroute especially) - unleaded similar

knightstyle

Autoroutes are free from St Malo or Caen to Nantes so have a bit more traffic than the pay ones but nothing like the UK ones.

RedBern

would echo Vendee area - St Georges de Didonne, Meschers around that area is lovely. Royan is a bit too much like Blackpool, but close enough to head in for a day/evening if you want more excitement. Make sure you find a site with a pool though - that should keep any teenagers happy.

We used to do Portsmouth - Le Havre crossing - and do an afternoon - get off 10pm and get a Formule1 about 45 minutes from the ferry - then get up fresh the following morning and be at the campsite by tea time easily. Alternatively, factor in the cost of a formule1 (used to be about £30) and get a night crossing with a cabin, but suspect it will be dearer.

knightstyle

Plus anyone staying in Western France must have a day out at Puy du Fou it is an amazing experience including a visit to a huge Roman arena where chariots with four horses race. But get there early and have a day of rest afterwards, it is suitable for young children and adults with too much to see and do in one day.
To find it look South of Cholet

ellas9602

Thanks for all of this advice.The road guide was really useful..thanks for that.
We have decided on the Vendee region. It seems to have the weather and the surfing seas (for the kids).
We have also decided to take a tent and rough it! Mobile homes were comomg up at about £700 pw. We're hoping to depart about 15/08/11..duration is flexible but probably ten days.
I've found camping near the seaside for about £360. I've been pricing up with a company called vacan soleil whose prices seem reasonable but it's hard to tell who is a middle man and who isn't when looking online.
If anyone knows of a nice (close to a beach as possible) campsite or a book direct type place please advise.
Any other tips greatfully received
Thanks
Ella

sunshinetours

ellas9602 wrote: »

Thanks for all of this advice.The road guide was really useful..thanks for that.
We have decided on the Vendee region. It seems to have the weather and the surfing seas (for the kids).
We have also decided to take a tent and rough it! Mobile homes were comomg up at about £700 pw. We're hoping to depart about 15/08/11..duration is flexible but probably ten days.
I've found camping near the seaside for about £360. I've been pricing up with a company called vacan soleil whose prices seem reasonable but it's hard to tell who is a middle man and who isn't when looking online.
If anyone knows of a nice (close to a beach as possible) campsite or a book direct type place please advise.
Any other tips greatfully received
Thanks
Ella

Do try and avoid coming back last weekend of August as someone posted above. Try and return during a week day

We used the France for Families website when we started planning a few years ago. Lots if useful info on there worth a trawl through